Famous High-Achievers with with Symptoms of ASD

There are many people in daily life that may have Asperger’s syndrome or ASD but remain undiagnosed.  Likewise, over the course of history, there have been many great people who have exhibited the traits and characteristics that we now associate with ASD, but who were labelled at the time as ‘eccentric’, ‘odd’, ‘different’ or ‘genius’. (Grandin & Duffy, 2004)

Einstein’

-         cared little for social niceties
-         wore dishevelled clothes
-         kept his hair long
-         his lectures were reportedly scattered and incomprehensible
-         he would be seen to ‘zone out’ and then come up with a brilliant new theory
-         he was labelled a ‘genius’
                      

                                
  “It seems that for success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential.” 
                                                     
                                                      Dr. Hans Asperger

 
Vincent Van Gogh

-         known as being ‘odd’ and ‘aloof’
-         was observed to have ‘tantrums’
-         preferred to be alone
-         spent countless hours alone and focussed on his single area of interest - at which he became a ‘master’.

Some further information about famous people thought to have had ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome is available from this website:
http://autism.lovetoknow.com/Famous_Autistic_People

 


The Autism Society of America defines autism as a complex developmental disability
that typically appears during the first three years of life.  The autism continuum
ranges from brilliant scientist to a non-verbal individual
who will always have to live under supervised conditions. 
(Grandin & Duffy, 2004)